Chi Kung: Stand Like A Tree To Power Up Your Chi
Paul Dorrian | Weekend | 20-22 October

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‘Standing like a Tree’ Chi-Gung is unlike most other Chi-Gung styles, in that with the exception of changing from one static posture to the next, the practitioner remains absolutely still, developing a mind like still water. Regarded as the most powerful of all Chi-Gung practices, it opens all of the nine energy portals in the body, and encourages one’s chi (life force) to flow powerfully throughout one’s entire being. In this retreat Paul will teach the Four Posture Zhan Zhuang Set to promote health and vitality.

If The Buddha Found His Soulmate: Finding A Loving Relationship On A Spiritual Path
Natascha Prussen and Warren Shaw | Weekend | 27-29 October

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The Buddhist teachings provide a wonderful foundation to understand why relationships work - and why they don’t. Our exploration of vital, loving relationships will include Buddhist insights into how compassion, impermanence and loving-kindness are key in the way we relate to others. We will explore the role attachment and craving plays and the suffering these cause. Because, if we were fully awake and present, we would know that to harm another is to harm ourselves, and that to harm ourselves is to harm another. Natascha and Warren are able to speak from their own experience on how Buddhism triggered a deeper understanding of the subtle issues involved in maintaining a healthy relationship.

Breath Is The Bridge: A Breath And Yoga Retreat With Guided Meditation
Carol Segal | Weekend | 3-5 November

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Are you struggling with feelings of anxiety, exhaustion, insomnia and stress? Do you need a bridge to come home to yourself? Breath is the bridge. This retreat will share easy-to-use Breathing Techniques that allow us to pause and refresh. When we Breathe better, we can Be better. Gaining insight into the functioning of our respiratory system, we can access our parasympathetic nervous system and feel calmer and more confident. Watching the breath is the bridge to meditation. Daily meditation and yoga will be offered and will encourage stillness and awareness. Come as you are.

Qigong - The Art Of Effortless Power
Dianne Franklin | 5 days | 5-10 November

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It is hard to believe that many martial arts evolved from these ancient gentle and contemplative movements. Come and experience for yourself the qigong movements - where we will draw energy from the beautiful surroundings of the BRC. There will be two sessions daily allowing plenty of time to relax and immerse ourselves in the tranquillity of the Centre. Meditation will be offered daily.

Finding Meaning And Purpose - Buddhist Insights Into The Nature Of The Mind
Ven Khenpo Jamyang Gompo | Weekend | 10-12 November

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We all wish to have happiness and avoid the uncomfortable feelings that seem to dominate our daily life; feelings of dissatisfaction, unease, anxiety that keep us awake at night, our agitation with loved ones and anger towards others. It is times like these that create uncertainty and a feeling of helplessness. Khenpo Jamyang Gompo will gently guide participants to a deeper understanding of how these emotions arise and how we can find a sense of meaning and purpose in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Chi - Gung and Meditation
Paul Dorrian | Weekend | 17-19 November

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Chi - Gung meditation uses your mind to direct the flow of chi (life energy) within your body. In this retreat, Paul will teach a bouquet of four powerful yet lovely inner healing exercises, which use visualization, colour and special breathing techniques to help cleanse and regenerate the body’s main internal organs and mind, as well as to create a sense of inner peace and tranquillity. The retreat will culminate with The Golden Light Meditation, an ancient Taoist Chi-Gung healing meditation which originates from the Mount Hua region of China, and which has been used for centuries to expand one’s spiritual awareness.

Noble silence Open The Heart And Still The Mind: Mist Rising, Dew Falling – Embracing Impermanence With Courage, Compassion And Joy
Teacher: Sue Cooper | 2 or 5 days | 24-26 November and 24-29 November ( 2 and 5 day options)

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This retreat will be held in ennobling silence and is offered for an extended 5 nights for those who want a longer and deeper retreat experience, or as a 2 night weekend retreat for those unable to stay longer. Drawing on the beauty of nature and the Mist Rising, Dew Falling, we will explore living with change and uncertainty as we embrace the truth of impermanence with courage, compassion and joy.

As we experience the unfolding of aging, sickness and death (dukkha), we are invited to be more fully present, so that we can live wholeheartedly and more joyfully, connecting with ourselves, each other and this world with greater kindness and care. The deep nourishment of the silence and the experience of our interconnectedness with the sangha (our silent retreat family) and with nature enhances our connection to what is life-affirming, compassionate and wise. We will discover that we can embrace impermanence with less fear and more appreciative joy (sukkha), inspired by the qualities of heart and mind found in the Brahma Viharas (the 4 divine abodes) of loving-kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), appreciative joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha).

This retreat includes guided sitting and walking meditations, short individual sessions with Sue and daily sessions of qigong movement meditation to enhance the integration of body, heart and mind. There will be time for silent, mindful walks in nature when you can explore the beauty of the Centre. Additional optional mindful movement and massages will be offered - details to be confirmed nearer the time.

Please note: There is a teacher's fee for this retreat, which is offered on a sliding scale, with reductions and payment plans on request.

A pre-retreat individual session via Zoom/Whatsapp is highly recommended for newcomers or if you have not attended one of Sue’s residential retreats before. The fee for this will be the 30-40/50 minute medical aid rate and will be reduced if you are not on medical aid. Please contact Sue on sue.stillmind@gmail.com to arrange a time.
CPD accreditation for psychologists and other HPCSA registered professionals: Confirmed with an admin fee.

A Self Retreat

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Think peace over pressure and serenity over stress. Enjoy some  time at the BRC mid-week, with nourishing vegetarian meals, sunrise meditation and nature's healing embrace to colour the mood of your day. There is no better place than the BRC to rejuvenate the body and mind to guide you into presence and stillness.